Page 1016 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 25 February 2009
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Grassby never admitted the smear or apologised to the dead man’s family.
It must be remembered that Grassby’s successful appeal against his criminal conviction was only on the grounds that defamation could not be proven, as well as that parliamentary privilege played a significant role in protecting him from the full wrath of the law.
Until the Labor Party in government takes steps to formally apologise to the Mackay family for what was one of the most shameful episodes in Australian political history, the presence of Al Grassby’s statue in the ACT will remain a permanent stain on Australia’s multicultural history rather than a tribute.
My office also received several phone calls from constituents who go so far as to call for the removal of the statue in the interests of community harmony. Whatever individuals might personally think or say about Mr Grassby is debatable. The fact remains that Mr Hargreaves and ultimately Mr Stanhope had the responsibility back in 2005 to ensure that almost $75,000 of ACT taxpayers’ money was spent on a memorial in good faith and with goodwill to create an opportunity for harmony within the ACT community, not as has happened whereby considerable public funds have been spent on a memorial to an ideological icon of ACT Labor, and Mr Hargreaves personally, without any thought of or care about the possible hurt and controversy that might ensue.
But now back to the Multicultural Festival. I commend Ms Burch for raising this motion. I strongly support the continued success and growth of the Multicultural Festival. Long may the festival live and prosper.
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Mrs Dunne): Before we proceed, Mr Hargreaves, I understand it is the usual practice in this place for men to wear their jackets in the Assembly.
Mr Hargreaves: I would remind you, Madam Assistant Speaker, of the practice when you were supporting now Senator Humphries and when quite a number of people—Mr Moore to my memory, Mr Stefaniak to another memory—presented themselves in the chamber in the same way. But, if it offends your sense of decorum, Madam Assistant Speaker, I shall put my coat on.
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr Hargreaves.
Mr Hargreaves: That is all right. I would ask you also to go back and check and make sure that you deliver those sorts of requests with some equanimity in future. I would like to have my time kick off now, please.
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER: I call Mr Hargreaves.
MR HARGREAVES (Brindabella—Minister for Disability and Housing, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Corrections) (4.32): I want to express initially my disappointment, profound disappointment, in Mr Doszpot for such gutter comments. I had thought him
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